Artificial grass - experiences?
Discussion
I had my (small) area of grass in the garden redone with artificial as it was always soggy and muddy when it rained and having two dogs was just a pain cleaning paws and floors every time they went out. Best decision I made for my needs been down two years and it’s exactly the same as when it was done with zero maintenance.
You can tell it’s fake with how neat and perfect it looks but the colours pretty much spot on but a neighbour down the road has a strip on their front and it looks appalling but I thinks that more like AstroTurf they got and did themselves.
Only issue is when dogs pee on it apparently that crystallises and stays there until it’s hot and then starts to evaporate and smells, (normal grass would get cut and not be an issue) so a fly over with zoflora every now and then and it’s no issue.
You can tell it’s fake with how neat and perfect it looks but the colours pretty much spot on but a neighbour down the road has a strip on their front and it looks appalling but I thinks that more like AstroTurf they got and did themselves.
Only issue is when dogs pee on it apparently that crystallises and stays there until it’s hot and then starts to evaporate and smells, (normal grass would get cut and not be an issue) so a fly over with zoflora every now and then and it’s no issue.
Our back garden used to look like the Somme in winter with the dog and kids playing on it. Wiping the dogs paws and taking the kids wellies off stopped mud getting in the house, but didnt stop the lawn looking like the Somme!
However one Saturday when the wife was a work a neighbour with a mini-digger and I set to work! We dug up the whole lawn - the wife's face was a picture when she came home from work!
We installed a land drain in the lawn then levelled the ground with the digger. I then rotorvated in a load or sharp sand and manure. Raked it and seeded it.
The lawn is now much drier in the winter, the grass needs more mowing as it grows more, but the whole experience has been worthwhile and a lot cheaper than artificial grass. Many problems with natural grass will be down to compaction of the soil.
Personally I wouldn't have plastic grass, leaving aside any issues for birds and insects I just believe we should be limiting the amount of plastic we use and whilst using plastic cannot be easily avoided in many cases it can be in a lawn.
I do get that people might want it for personal convenience etc and thats up to them. I am not planning on moving any time soon so whether I would buy a house with artificial grass is not a question I need to ask! I doubt I would rip out artificial grass but I dont think it would encourage me to choose one house over another.
However one Saturday when the wife was a work a neighbour with a mini-digger and I set to work! We dug up the whole lawn - the wife's face was a picture when she came home from work!
We installed a land drain in the lawn then levelled the ground with the digger. I then rotorvated in a load or sharp sand and manure. Raked it and seeded it.
The lawn is now much drier in the winter, the grass needs more mowing as it grows more, but the whole experience has been worthwhile and a lot cheaper than artificial grass. Many problems with natural grass will be down to compaction of the soil.
Personally I wouldn't have plastic grass, leaving aside any issues for birds and insects I just believe we should be limiting the amount of plastic we use and whilst using plastic cannot be easily avoided in many cases it can be in a lawn.
I do get that people might want it for personal convenience etc and thats up to them. I am not planning on moving any time soon so whether I would buy a house with artificial grass is not a question I need to ask! I doubt I would rip out artificial grass but I dont think it would encourage me to choose one house over another.
Heartworm said:
dirky dirk said:
Real grass is easy
Mine is small but it was a mess
Over lockdown, i bought some weed and feed, one of those rakes with wheels at the end,
I fastened a brick to the rake, so the weight did the work,
Raked the thatch then mowed it with the blade set higher.
Let it recover then feed it,
I put some seed down and bobs your aunties husband
Repeat the above half a dozen times now its spot on
Mowed once a week and doesnt need any care,
Probably cost sixty quid all in all
Sixty quid plus the time.Mine is small but it was a mess
Over lockdown, i bought some weed and feed, one of those rakes with wheels at the end,
I fastened a brick to the rake, so the weight did the work,
Raked the thatch then mowed it with the blade set higher.
Let it recover then feed it,
I put some seed down and bobs your aunties husband
Repeat the above half a dozen times now its spot on
Mowed once a week and doesnt need any care,
Probably cost sixty quid all in all
We’ve decided to get artificial grass in the rear garden next year have thought about it for a while,
But i respect your decision,
Fair dos
Anyone tried one of these (or similar)? Just had mine done, about 50sq m and already getting bored of sweeping it to keep it looking nice.
https://youtu.be/NVDpMc7lxwg
https://youtu.be/NVDpMc7lxwg
andyc11 said:
Anyone tried one of these (or similar)? Just had mine done, about 50sq m and already getting bored of sweeping it to keep it looking nice.
https://youtu.be/NVDpMc7lxwg
So you have to run something that looks a lot like a mower around it? https://youtu.be/NVDpMc7lxwg
Flibble said:
andyc11 said:
Anyone tried one of these (or similar)? Just had mine done, about 50sq m and already getting bored of sweeping it to keep it looking nice.
https://youtu.be/NVDpMc7lxwg
So you have to run something that looks a lot like a mower around it? https://youtu.be/NVDpMc7lxwg
Considering this, only have 72sqm and would be ideal for kids, as much as i love natural grass. Dont have any dogs, but the kids tend to ruin it and it's hard to keep a nice natural lawn. Any advice on fake length, I like the look of the 35/40mm but do these still stand up with kids running around. Any advice appreciated. Also is there much difference in different brands? Looking at Nomow and Tuda.
dba7108 said:
Considering this, only have 72sqm and would be ideal for kids, as much as i love natural grass. Dont have any dogs, but the kids tend to ruin it and it's hard to keep a nice natural lawn. Any advice on fake length, I like the look of the 35/40mm but do these still stand up with kids running around. Any advice appreciated. Also is there much difference in different brands? Looking at Nomow and Tuda.
We used Tuda (also called cheapgrass.co.uk) last year & eventually went with their Sydney range (40mm) after getting as many samples from them as we could, and from multiple other companies. It comes in both 2m & 4m widths.Customer service was excellent as was their delivery, it's a very heavy grass so doesn't need the sand fill that quite a few others do.
I laid it on a compacted bed of granite chippings and a layer of granite dust with a weed barrier on top, the grandkids love it, and it recovers very well after a good trampling.
The neighbour was so impressed he wants me to do his asap.
https://www.cheapgrass.co.uk/product/sydney/
https://www.tudagrass.co.uk/product/sydney-40mm-ar...
Edited by don'tbesilly on Saturday 1st May 16:19
dba7108 said:
DBS - thanks for that. They seem a decent company from reviews but good to get first hand experience. Do they deliver it themselves or via courier. Also do you ever brush yours and would it be any benefit to put sand. I heard this makes it stand up. Cheers.
I think they use their own delivery people although I'm not 100% on that, it turned up when they said it would which was the most important thing.I don't brush it but do use a rake, this one (other outlets are available}:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Winslow-Ross-Telescopic-A...
I also use a leaf blower/vacuum like this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00M1QJSFE?tag=toolsre...
I didn't use sand because the material is a heavy one (2721GSM, this is also indicative of a dense pile), hence it doesn't need the sand, I hadn't heard about the grass standing up as a result of using the sand, so couldn't comment.
These Guys are approved installers for Tuda, and their vids are very informative:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdwEuzdvaso&t=...
Im about to undertake this at the weekend so quick question - do I need to keep digging the top soil off until I reach something solid? Or can I take the turf off with a cutter (40mm), dig another say 40 or 60mm off, whack the soil down, then hardcore on top, grano or sand then fake grass. In some areas where it is clay I can slot the spade right down and in - so about 150mm.
Any advice appreciated!
Any advice appreciated!
dba7108 said:
Considering this, only have 72sqm and would be ideal for kids, as much as i love natural grass. Dont have any dogs, but the kids tend to ruin it and it's hard to keep a nice natural lawn. Any advice on fake length, I like the look of the 35/40mm but do these still stand up with kids running around. Any advice appreciated. Also is there much difference in different brands? Looking at Nomow and Tuda.
40mm gives a nice look and feel. Under 30mm can look a bit like green carpet. I think I put 35mm down for my parents and it's been fine with a couple of dogs and fairly light foot traffic.
What about the impact on wildlife?
Birds cannot peck for worms in your garden
No daisys buttercups flowering clover and the no mow May all for the benefit of butterflies and bees pollinating those flowers.
What about someone drops an ice lolly ice cream/drips etc are you going to scrub the fake grass?
Birds cannot peck for worms in your garden
No daisys buttercups flowering clover and the no mow May all for the benefit of butterflies and bees pollinating those flowers.
What about someone drops an ice lolly ice cream/drips etc are you going to scrub the fake grass?
Welshbeef said:
What about the impact on wildlife?
Birds cannot peck for worms in your garden
No daisys buttercups flowering clover and the no mow May all for the benefit of butterflies and bees pollinating those flowers.
What about someone drops an ice lolly ice cream/drips etc are you going to scrub the fake grass?
It gets "scrubbed" with a hosepipe. Birds cannot peck for worms in your garden
No daisys buttercups flowering clover and the no mow May all for the benefit of butterflies and bees pollinating those flowers.
What about someone drops an ice lolly ice cream/drips etc are you going to scrub the fake grass?
Zoon said:
Welshbeef said:
BBQ stuff dropping on the floor
Would love to see how artificial turf deals with a stray piece of red hot charcoal. Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff